Some eavestrough jobs are a good Saturday morning. Others are a fall waiting to happen. This guide sorts common tasks by height, hazards and complexity, then gives you plain rules for choosing DIY or a professional.
In This Article
Four questions that decide it
- How high is the work? Single-storey eaves are within reach of a properly set ladder. Second-storey eaves are a different level of risk.
- What is nearby? The Electrical Safety Authority's outdoor guidance is to keep any ladder or tool three metres from overhead powerlines, and to steer clear of the service mast where power enters the house.
- What is under the ladder? Firm, level ground is a yes. Decks, slopes, soft soil, garden beds and window wells are a no.
- Are you steady and equipped? You need a sound ladder with a standoff, two free hands and someone who knows where you are.
One "no" is enough to hand the job over.
Job by job: DIY or crew?
| Job | Reasonable DIY when | Call a pro when |
|---|---|---|
| Scooping a single-storey trough | Level ground, standoff, no wires close | Any second-storey eave, or wires within 3 m |
| Flushing a downspout from below | The bottom end is reachable | The plug is high, underground or frozen |
| Resealing one leaking seam | Reachable, dry weather, clean joint | Several seams leak or the run sags |
| Re-hanging one loose section | Solid fascia and easy reach | Soft fascia or a long sagging run |
| Adding a downspout extension | Ground-level, surface discharge | Underground tie-ins or grading changes |
| Ice in the trough | Never with tools; wait for a thaw | Ice dams, heavy ice loads or damaged runs |
| Replacing runs | A short ground-level piece | Full replacement, sizing and slope decisions |
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The costs you do not see on either side
DIY looks free, but it is not. You supply the ladder, standoff, gloves and hours, and you carry the risk of a fall or a dented trough. The professional versus DIY cost breakdown helps you weigh the numbers.
A crew has costs too, and you are paying for them: insurance, trained people, proper ladders and the ability to reach the far side of the house as well. D&D Home Services publishes a starting price of $125 for gutter cleaning on typical Kitchener-Waterloo homes. Its crew members are Working at Heights certified, and the company carries $2 million in general liability insurance. Ontario has approved Working at Heights training for workers who use fall protection on the job. It is not a homeowner requirement, but it shows how seriously the trade takes falls.
Three homes, three answers
Picture three houses on one street.
- The bungalow. Flat lawn, one maple, and a corner that overflows. The owner clears the trough from a ladder with a standoff, then flushes the downspout. Fine as DIY.
- The two-storey with a deck. The back eave sits above the deck, so the ladder would stand on boards, and it would still be too short. This one goes to a crew.
- The sagging run. A trough dips between hangers, and a screwdriver sinks into the fascia. Cleaning will not help. The wood needs fixing first, so a repair quote comes before anything else.
Many homes are a mix. You can check the ground level, flush the downspouts and note problems yourself, and hire a crew only for the high runs.
Choose DIY if... choose a pro if...
Choose DIY if:
- The eave is single-storey and the ground is firm and level.
- No wires or service mast sit within 3 metres of the ladder or your reach.
- You have a sound ladder with a standoff and a spotter.
- The job is cleaning, flushing or a small sealing repair.
Choose a pro if:
- You need to reach a second storey, a steep roofline or an addition.
- Ice, wasps or a tight, sloped or wet yard are involved.
- The trough sags, pulls away, leaks at many seams or sits on soft fascia.
- You are not comfortable at height. That is reason enough.
If you hire, what to ask for
Get a written quote that lists the scope, proof of liability insurance and, for employees, WSIB status. Ask how the crew will set ladders and protect the trough. Read ladder safety for exterior home maintenance before doing any of this work yourself, and gutter cleaning safety for two-storey homes if your eaves are high.
For a quote, see gutter cleaning. Quotes are free and confirmed in writing before work begins.
Key Takeaways
- Height, nearby wires, ground conditions and your own equipment and confidence decide whether a job is DIY.
- Keep ladders and tools at least 3 metres from powerlines, and stay clear of the service mast.
- Ground-level flushing and small seam repairs suit many homeowners, while second-storey eaves, ice and sagging runs suit a crew.
- Ask any contractor for a written scope and proof of insurance.
Sources & References
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